Anthony Joshua’s long-time rival Tyson Fury has paid tribute to the two men tragically killed in a horror car crash in Nigeria.
Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami, both integral members of Joshua’s team, lost their lives when the SUV they were travelling in with Joshua smashed into a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway in Makun yesterday.
Local police told Daily Mail Sport that Joshua escaped with only ‘minor’ injuries, but sources close to the fighter fear they could be more severe than publicised.
Former heavyweight champion Fury has now taken to social media to pay tribute to Ghami and Ayodele.
‘This is so sad,’ wrote the Gypsy King on Instagram. ‘May God give them a good bed in heaven.’
Fury’s tributes came only minutes after he teased his own return to the ring in 2026 – despite insisting he was retiring from the sport for good last January.
The 37-year-old posted a picture of himself alongside his sons Prince and Johnboy with the trio wearing shirts bearing the message: ‘I’m back. Fury. My legacy. Old School.’
Instagram story posted by Tyson Fury in tribute to Kevin Latif Ayodele and Sina Ghami
Fury also appeared to tease his return to the ring after posing for a photo alongside two of his sons
Anthony Joshua appeared to be in considerable pain as he was helped away from the site of the crash
A long-awaited bout between Joshua and Fury, the two elite British heavyweights of the past decade, had been mooted for 2026 following the former’s victorious return to the ring over Jake Paul.
But those hopes, Daily Mail Sport understand, now hang in the balance after video footage captured at the scene of the crash showed the boxer grimacing in pain as he was helped away from the wreckage.
Matchroom Boxing, Joshua’s management team,shared a tribute to Ghami and Ayodele on Monday night.
It read: ‘It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin ‘Lateef’ Ayodele.
‘Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team.
‘We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news.’
Earlier on Monday night officials in Nigeria confirmed to the Daily Mail that Joshua was ‘awake and conscious and had spoken with his family’ after the 36-year-old had been pulled from the wreckage of the crash.
A spokesperson for the Ogun state government said: ‘Anthony Joshua and another passenger were immediately evacuated to a specialised medical facility in Lagos.
‘Following comprehensive clinical assessments, doctors have confirmed that both patients are stable and do not require any emergency medical intervention at this time. A full medical team has been assembled and will continue to monitor them closely.
‘Anthony Joshua is conscious and has been in communication with his family.
‘The Governments of Ogun and Lagos States are closely monitoring the situation and will ensure that the affected persons receive the best possible medical care. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident have also commenced.
‘We appreciate the concern shown by members of the public and kindly request privacy for Anthony Joshua and his family at this time.’
More to follow.
